Sydney FC with seven in Junior Matildas World Cup squad

Seven Sky Blues Set for Historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Campaign

Seven Sydney FC youngsters are preparing to represent Australia on the world stage as the CommBank Junior Matildas kick off their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™ campaign against Chile on Tuesday morning (AEDT).

Annabelle Croll, Alyse Oppedisano, Rubi Sullivan, Jada Taylor, Claire Corbett, Willa Pearson and Abbie Puckett are all part of the Australian squad preparing to make history in Morocco.

The tournament marks a historic milestone for Australian women’s football, with the Junior Matildas competing at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Australia secured their maiden qualification at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™, defeating Vietnam 2-0 in the quarter-finals to book their place on the world stage.

The Junior Matildas went on to finish fourth at the Asian Cup, setting the stage for an exciting World Cup campaign.

For Sydney FC, the inclusion of seven players in the national squad is a proud moment for the Club and a reflection of the young talent emerging through its women’s football pathway.

Among the Sky Blues contingent is Junior Matildas captain Willa Pearson, who will lead Australia into the tournament as the side looks to make its mark on the international stage.

Pearson is joined by fellow Sky Blues Annabelle Croll, Alyse Oppedisano, Rubi Sullivan, Jada Taylor, Claire Corbett and Abbie Puckett, with all seven players hoping to contribute to Australia’s historic campaign.

Australia have been drawn into Group F alongside Spain, Mexico and Chile, with all three group-stage fixtures taking place at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco.

The Junior Matildas will open their campaign against Chile at 5:00am AEDT on Tuesday, 20 October, before facing Spain on Friday morning and Mexico the following Monday.

With the tournament running until 7 November, the young Australians will be looking to build on their impressive Asian Cup qualification campaign and test themselves against some of the world’s best emerging talent.